Johnny-O Talisman

[mbflash80]

I picked up a fiver of the Talisman from John recently and have really been impressed by the quality of this cigar.  I will stop short of speculation or guessing as to what it is, I would rather just focus on the smoke itself.  The wrapper is gorgeous with a dark sheen to it and the cigar is rolled perfectly.  Construction was absolutely top notch and it burned perfectly throughout.  Flavor wise it really reminded me of a Mag 56 (of which I have burned through half a box over the last year) with a bit more of what I would label a carmel/vanilla flavor reminiscent of classic Cohiba.  It is an outstanding cigar at a great value in my opinion and I hope to secure an entire bundle from John when he has restocked.  Highly recommended.

MB

[burnem]

Thanks for the review!

[torsion]

Thanks for the review  :bigup:
Looking forward to trying these.

[chrismez]

I have a few as well but yet to try one.  Bought 15 of the Genios and fired one up last night.  Tasted just like a banded Cohiiba genios I smoked awhile ago.  Perfect construction and burn as well....

[Johnny-O!]

Hunters & Frankau is doing the world release November 7 for the Talisman in England as an Edicion Limitada. 200 pounds ($260 US) for the event and it is sold out. John :beer:

[torsion]

So I got a few from John to try, I finally got round to lighting one up last Thursday after a months rest.
As above the construction was excellent and there was consistency in the rolls of the few I had. The wrapper was LE dark much like CRS but at a much more approachable format.
Echoing the comments above, flavourwise it does remind me of the Mag56 - dare I say typical of recent LE. I didn't find it that much to taste like reg Cohiba but perhaps that was just the one I had. Started off mildish to my palate and was very flavourful once it got going.
I think I will smoke another this week as reference.
A good cigar and for its youth it was very smooth up until the last third where it changed but perhaps I was chuffing away on it.
I gifted two, one friend saying it seemed fuller than any reg Cohiba and tasting dark choc following the LE profile.
The other smoked it on Monday night agreeing that it was a great cigar even at a month old.
Should age well

[mbflash80]

Expanding on Chris' thoughts regarding the Genios..i picked up a 10 pack of those as well...smoked my first one last night and was throughly impressed. While i have not smoked a ton of the maduro 5 line recently i can say that i used to go through secretos like they were toothpicks...the genios i had last night was even better than i remember the line being...smooth chocalate flavors...impeccable construction and at an unbeatable price point. Another home run from John.

[Pole Lock]

Tried a Genios, which was full of Havana maduro flavor, but very young - shows tons of promise.

Also had an EL robusto last night that blew my doors out. Cream, lemongrass, deep spice and even ginger lacing in and out. Reminded me very, very, very much of a CoRo.

Simply can't wait to try the rest of the vitolas from this haul!